Dog-bench.



T. B. MIDDLEBROOKE.

DOG BENCH. APPLICATION FILED MAR.13 ,190B.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

Tu: NORRIS-PETKRS GUZpWASHINGTONlwe.

UNITED STATES PATENT TOM B. MIDDLEBROOKE, OF REVERE, MASSACHUSETTS.

DOG-BENCH.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TOM B. MIDDLE- BROOKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Revere, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Dog-Benches, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like letters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to dog benches such as are commonly used for exhibiting dogs at a dog show.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having a novel construction whereby it may be readily taken down and folded compactly together when it is not in use.

Dog benches as commonly made comprise a floor section on which the dogs are placed, partitions which divide the floor sections into separate compartments, a back section forming the back of the compartments or stalls for receiving the dogs, and a skirt board along the front of the floor section. These devices are usually made double, that is, with compartments 011 the floor section each side of a central partition which forms the back of two sets of compartments, and not infrequently they are made so that the different parts can be taken apart to permit them to be compactly stored away when not in use. Such knock-down benches as heretofore made, however, have required the use of a considerable number of separate fastening devices for securing the separate parts of the bench together when it is set up. Such separate fastenings are very apt to become lost when the bench is knocked down and stored away, thus causing more or less annoyance when it is desired to set the bench up again.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a novel knock-down bench of such a construction that no separate detachable fastening devices are needed in securing the various parts together, and another object is to provide a knock-down bench of such a construction that various parts thereof may be permanently secured together, but may be folded into a compact space for storage.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel construction of adjustable partition or screen.

I will first describe one embodiment of Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 18, 1908. Serial No. 421,848.

Patented Nov. 10, 1908.

my invention and then point out the novel features thereof in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a side view of a dog bench embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view; Fig. 3 is a section on the line a1-:r, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a view of one of the ends; Fig. 5 is fragmentary view showing the manner of supporting the partitions in place; Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the floor and partition section showing the bench folded as it will be for storage; Fig. 7 is a detail view showing the manner of securing the end to the skirt section; Fig. 8 is a section of the end board on the line y-y, Fig. 1.

My improved bench comprises the usual floor section 3, the usual screens or partitions 5 which divide the floor section into compartments 6 for receiving the dogs, the usual back section 4 which also forms the partition between the two rows of compartments when the bench is a double bench, as shown in the drawings, and the usual skirt section 7 which extends the length of the bench along the front and forms the front side thereof.

In accordance with my invention I hinge the skirt section 7 to the outer edge of the floor section 3, as shown at 8, and I also hinge the back or partition section 4 to the back edge of the floor section, as shown at 9.

Where the bench is a double bench, as shown in the drawings, each floor section 3 is hinged to the lower edge of the partition or back section 4:, each floor section having the skirt section 7 hinged thereto, as above described. The hinge connection between each skirt section and the corresponding floor section is such that said skirt sections may be folded down against the top of the floor section or may be swung into the vertical operative position shown in Fig. 3, in which position the edge of the skirt section engages the top of the floor section and limits the further swinging movement of the skirt section. The hinge connection 9 between the floor; section and the partition or back section 4 is such that each floor section can be folded up against the partition section, as shown in Fig. 6. The floor sections are each provided with two rows of holes 10 which form the means for positioning the partitions or screens 5. For this purpose the screens which are of any suitable construction are each provided with two projections or feet 11 which extend downwardly therefrom, said projections being, adapted to set into the holes 10,- as' shown in Fig. 5. The holes 10 are comparatively near together so that the partitions 5 may be placed-at any desired distance apart. Preferably I will provide each of the holes 10 with a metal lining or bushing so as to prevent the holes from being worn by the frequent shifting of the positions of the screens or partitions'. I

Each partition is formed at its upper inner corner with the L-shaped arm 12 which embraces the top of the back or central dividing member 4:, and the front portion of each partition 5 is also provided with the L-shaped arm 13 adapted to embrace the top edge of the skirt 7, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. When the central partition 4: and skirt 7 are opened out from each other, as shown in Fig. 3, the arms 12 and 13 serve as a means to hold these three parts properly placed. Anyone of the screens or partitions 5 can be removed or its position may be ad justed by simply raising it to withdraw the feet from the holes 10 and after shifting it in the desired position, dropping it down again to cause the feet to engage other holes and to carry the arms 12 and 13 over the central dividing member at and the skirt 7. In this way the partitions 5 serve to hold the skirt and the central dividing member 4: rigidly in their operative position.

Each bench has at its ends the end boards 14, and these end boards are detachably secured in place. In the present embodiment each end board is provided with ribs 15, forming between them a groove adapted to receive the end of the central dividing member 4, the ribs 29 which rest on the floor sections and constitute means for supporting the end members in position, and the arms or clips 16 which are bent inwardly at their end and are adapted to be received in grooves 17 formed in the end of the skirt sections 7 as best seen in Fig. 7. Each end portion may also have the corner brackets of stops 18 adapted to engage the inner sides of the skirt sections. Each groove 17 is open at the top, as seen in Fig. 1, so that the end boards may be readily detached by merely ralslng them to disengage the clips or arms 16 from the grooves 17. I may if desired provide the screws 19 for fastening the end boards to the ends of the central dividingmember 1, as shown in Fig. 8, although this 1s not essential to the invention.

The bench when in use is supported on mitting the end boards 14: to be lifted out of place, and then the skirts 7 may be folded scams down against the top of the floor sections and the floor sections folded up against the central dividing member 4:, as shown in Fig. 6. When thus taken down, the bench can be'readily stored in a very small compact space. I o

It will be noted'that the floor sections, the

central dividing member 1, and the skirt sec ribs 15 are permanently secured to the end pieces so that no separate fastening devices are needed for securing the end pieces in place. Further, the construction of the partition 5 is such that no separate detachable fastening devices are needed for holding this partition in place. This is a decided advantage because when the bench is taken down for storage, it is not necessary to look after and keep track of a large number of separate fastening devices.

When the bench is set up, as shown in the drawings, it is as rigid as if the parts were permanently and fixedly secured together and it can be readily adjusted to accommodate either large or small dogs by shifting the position of the partitions 5.

The central dividing member 4 is preferably providcd at suitable intervals with rings 21 to which the dogs in the compartments 6 may be tied and these rings will preferably be placed near enough together sothat one will always be found in any of the compartments 6 no matter what their size may be.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that my improvements may be embodied in a single bench as well as in a double bench. It will also be obvious that many changes in the constructional details of the parts may be made without departing from the invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a dog bench, the combination with two floor sections, each having a plurality of pairs of bushed apertures, of a back sec? tion to which the inner edge of each floor section is hinged, a skirt section hinged to the front edge of each floor section, removable partitions having feet to enter the said skirt section being adapted to fold down onto the floor section when the partitions are removed.

3. In a dog bench, the combination with a floor section, of a back section hinged to the back edge thereof, a skirt section hinged to the front edge thereof, removable partitions having arms to engage both the back section and skirt section and hold them in operative position, end boards provided with ribs to embrace the ends of the back section and also provided with stops to engage the inner face of the skirt section, and clips 16 secured to the end boards and interlocking with said skirt section.

4:. In a dog bench, the combination with a central partition or back section, of two floor sections hinged to the lower edge thereof, a skirt section hinged to the front edge of each floor section and adapted to fold against the top thereof, said floor sections being adapted to fold up either side of the central partition, end boards having ribs to embrace the ends of the central partition, flanges to rest on the top of the floor sections, and stops to engage the inner faces of the skirt sections, and clips 16 secured to said end board and interlocking with the skirt section.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

TOM B. MIDDLEBROOKE.

Witnesses:

BERTHA F. I-IEUsER, LoUIs C. SMITH. 

